Fried eggs are a quick and easy breakfast that isn’t just delicious, but nutritious too. To help you make the perfect fried egg, we’ve put together this article to answer all of your fried eggs questions, from what type of pan to use, to cook times, and more!
Just remember, whether you like your fried eggs sunny-side up, or over-easy, the first thing to remember when learning how to perfectly fry an egg, is to always start with a high-quality, fresh egg, like a Happy Egg!
The best pan for frying an egg
Using the right type of pan to fry an egg makes all the difference. Because eggs are so delicate, most home chefs love using nonstick pans for their eggs. Nonstick pans aren’t just efficient for cooking eggs, but cleaning them is a breeze too.
The type of nonstick pan you use for frying an egg depends on the number of eggs you like to fry at a time. If your go-to egg breakfast is one egg, opt for a single egg frying pan. These efficient egg pans are available in three and four inch sizes.
If you like two fried eggs, go for an eight or nine inch nonstick pan. We've got our eyes on this non-stick cast iron enamel pan from Cravings by Chrissy Teigen!
Oil vs butter
One of the first questions people have when learning how to perfectly fry an egg, is whether you should use oil or butter for frying. Both have their benefits, but which fat you use to fry your eggs depends on how you like the final product.
Using olive oil to fry eggs will make the egg white extra crispy - in a good way. If you like your eggs with a creamier egg white, choose butter.
Using a lid vs. not using a lid
Most fried egg recipes will tell you that using a lid to cook fried eggs is a must. Placing a lid on the pan helps cook the egg with steam, while preventing it from overcooking. Trying to fry eggs without the help of a lid will result in a longer cook time, which may burn the egg whites.
A step-by-step guide for a perfectly fried egg
Step 1
Crack the egg, or eggs, into individual bowls. This will make it easy to retrieve any pieces of shell that may break off. Cracking eggs into individual bowls, rather than on the side of your nonstick skillet, also prevents you from getting any excess egg on the pan.
Step 2
Heat the pan on medium heat and add the olive oil or butter. Let the pan warm-up for about a minute before adding the egg.
Step 3
Gently pour the egg into the pan. You’ll know the egg white is cooking when it begins to whiten around the edges. This usually takes a minute or so.
Step 4
As the egg white begins to cook, cover the pan with the lid, and lower the heat to medium-low. Covering the eggs will help cook the egg white with steam, but keep the yolk soft and runny.
Step 5
If you like sunny-side up eggs, cook the egg for 4 minutes. If you prefer the yolk a little more set, cook the egg for 5 minutes. Letting the egg fry for 6 minutes will give you a hard yolk.
How make over-easy, over-medium, and over-hard eggs
If you like your fried eggs over easy, gently flip the eggs when the egg white has completely set. You’ll want to make sure the egg white is stable enough to lift it with a spatula. Cook the egg on the other side for another minute if you want over-easy eggs, two minutes for over-medium eggs, and three minutes for over-hard eggs.
It's as easy as that!
FAQs
You start by adding a small amount of oil to the skillet and cracking in the eggs, just like you normally would. Then, about 30 seconds in, you add hot water to the pan, basting the eggs until the whites are set and the yolks are still runny. It creates tender, soft fried eggs with no overdone edges in sight.
What is the best way to fry an egg? ›
The basic steps for frying an egg are simple:
- Heat a skillet over medium or medium-low.
- Once the skillet is hot, add your preferred fat and swirl to coat the surface.
- Crack the egg(s) into the skillet.
- Continue to cook the egg until the whites and yolks reach your desired doneness.
You start by adding a small amount of oil to the skillet and cracking in the eggs, just like you normally would. Then, about 30 seconds in, you add hot water to the pan, basting the eggs until the whites are set and the yolks are still runny. It creates tender, soft fried eggs with no overdone edges in sight.
Should you fry eggs in butter or oil? ›
Fried Eggs
"When they are fried, it gives them a little toasted brown butter flavor, which only adds to the eggs," she says. "Butter also makes everything better!" Butter certainly works for fried eggs, but oil is the fat of choice for cooks who want a runny yolk with a satisfying crispy white.
How do you fry an egg like a chef? ›
Over Medium Egg – Cook at low to medium heat in a pan with oil for 90 seconds on each side. Over Hard Egg – Cook at low to medium heat in a pan with oil for 2 to 2 ½ minutes per side. Make-Ahead: These are meant to be eaten as soon as they are done cooking.
What makes fried eggs taste better? ›
Salt intensifies the egg flavor, pepper adds some spice, and the paprika adds a subtle warmth and a sweetness. Of course, depending on what kind of paprika you use, you can really play around with flavor a lot! Some will make for a spicy fried egg while others will make it more savory and sweet.
How to know when a fried egg is done? ›
Let the eggs cook until white is set and the corners begin to curl ever so slightly, about 3 - 4 minutes depending on your heat source. No need to fuss with them either, they'll turn out better if they're left alone. For sunny side up eggs, simply slide the eggs onto a plate and season again if desired.
Should I cover eggs when frying? ›
Most fried egg recipes will tell you that using a lid to cook fried eggs is a must. Placing a lid on the pan helps cook the egg with steam, while preventing it from overcooking. Trying to fry eggs without the help of a lid will result in a longer cook time, which may burn the egg whites.
What is the best thing to fry eggs in? ›
Butter: Frying an egg with butter will be way more flavorful than frying an egg with oil. It adds so much flavor, adds an amazing mouthfeel, and is my choice of fat for frying eggs. Oil: Using oil to fry eggs is ideal if you like a crispy fried egg.
What is the best oil for frying eggs? ›
Fried eggs
Usually fried in sunflower or rapeseed oil, you can also use bacon fat left in the pan or a knob of butter. If you're adding a fried egg to a salad or grains how about using some olive oil? Eating curry or dhal? You might enjoy frying your eggs in coconut oil for a lighter flavour.
Interestingly enough, an onion or bell pepper cut into a ring can work similarly to a manufactured egg ring, effectively trapping the cooking egg inside and helping it keep its shape.
What to use instead of egg ring? ›
Egg rings are nifty tools, but you probably don't need one in your home. Any round circular piece of metal that's clean and can withstand the heat of a pan should work, like a biscuit cutter or, yep, a Mason jar ring.
